Value foundations of active civic engagement as an expression of social inclusion in the modernization process
Based on a modernization model by R. Inglehart and C. Welzel the factors and value determinants of active civic engagement in Ukraine are identified and compared to selected European countries. Using data from the third (1999–2001), and the fourth (2008–2010) waves of the European Values Study (EVS) as well as the fifth wave (2005–2007) of the World Values Survey (WVS), the political, civic and social types of participation are studied as elements of active civic engagement. Comparative analysis includes four European societies with different development paths, namely Ukraine, Germany, Russia and Poland.
It is argued in the article that the active position of social agents and their inclusion in social life determine success of modernization. Since according to the model by R. Inglehart and C. Welzel, value change is the key part of the modernization process, study of the emancipative values influence on active civic engagement can clarify development prospects of Ukrainian society. The findings of the research indicate that emancipative values are a determinants of active position in Ukrainian political sphere, although they do not have significant influence on civic and social participation. Low rates of activity in civic and social spheres induce insufficient level of solidarity, trust and self-government in Ukraine. On the way of building competitive economy and effective institutions it is necessary to stimulate development of NGOs, community integration, volunteering and mutual help behavior.
Practical recommendations for public authorities are proposed in order to optimize this process by raising the level of solidarity, trust and self-government in society.
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